CAR COLLISION: Driver being Pursued for Minor Offense Collides with Another Car

January 25, 2011

San Gabriel Valley – A police car chase ended in a violent collision between two cars Monday night and caused severe injuries to two people, authorities said.

The pursuit started around 10:30 pm in Old Town Pasadena. Police pulled over Edgar Angorita, 45, for committing a minor traffic violation.

At first, Angorita stopped his Volkswagen sedan when only one officer was following him. However, he drove off again as the officer waited for backup, Lt. Rodney D. Wallace said.

The chase lasted for 45 minutes, continued onto the freeway, and extended through other cities including Arcadia, Monrovia, Duarte, Azusa, and Glendora.

It was at Barranca Avenue and East Puente Street in Covina, north of Interstate 10, where the chase ended after Angorita broadsided a Mazda on the driver’s side.

Angorita and the 21-year-old female driver of the Mazda suffered broken bones and internal injuries, and were taken to the hospital, with Angorita under police guard, according to Pasadena Police Department.

Wallace said that Angorita may have been under the influence of drugs and alcohol according to evidence.